A one-day event in hybrid mode at the NSS-MIC RTSD 2024 in Tampa, October 27, 2024

While there are undoubtedly natural forces at work that contribute to the changing climate on a timescale of tens of thousands of years moving from glacial eras to higher temperature periods and vice versa, there is no doubt now that we humans are accelerating these “warming processes” by releasing excessive amounts of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. This induces an increase of the planet’s temperature with local peaks of changes that could induce extreme weather variations. These climate changes can be local or distributed or even affect the entire world in many ways.

Before we can reverse this trend, slowing its growth is the first goal. For this to happen, there must be a massive change in the human behavior, including the use of energy sources that do not exhaust carbon dioxide or other greenhouse gases. Among these are the new generation of nuclear and plasma technical solutions for energy. There is also need for new and better solutions for environmental monitoring, energy storage, waste management, simulations, sustainable medical support, and more.

The NPSS created an initiative to explore these possible contributions, and a first workshop was organized at the Nuclear Science Symposium and Medical Imaging Conference in Tampa, Florida on October 27^th, 2024. The workshop brought together invited leading scientists and experts representing activities of the NPSS Technical Committees, to discuss climate change and the transformative potential of nuclear and plasma technologies in shaping a cleaner, greener future. During a full day of inspiring presentations, the event highlighted advancements in understanding climate change and their implications for energy systems, environmental health, and society at large.

The workshop opened with remarks from Alberto Del Guerra, who emphasized the urgency of addressing climate challenges through technological innovation.

Prof. Matteo Spagnolo followed with a glaciological perspective on climate change, illustrating the rapid loss of polar ice and the cascading environmental impacts. His presentation set the stage for discussions on how nuclear and plasma technologies could mitigate such global threats.

Prof. Raymond Cao provided an in-depth overview of the current status and future potential of nuclear fission. He explored the evolution of reactor technologies, highlighting advancements in Generation IV designs and small modular reactors (SMRs). These innovations, which aim to enhance safety and efficiency while minimizing waste, are poised to make nuclear fission a cornerstone of global clean energy transitions. However, he also emphasized the ongoing challenges related to waste management, regulatory hurdles, and public perception, calling for greater collaboration and transparency in the field.

Fusion energy was the focus of Prof. Martin Nieto-Perez’s presentation, which explored its potential to revolutionize the energy landscape. Often referred to as the “holy grail” of clean energy, fusion promises virtually limitless power with minimal environmental impact. Prof. Nieto-Perez discussed progress in tokamaks and inertial confinement systems, as well as advancements driven by private-sector initiatives. Despite the excitement surrounding fusion, significant obstacles remain, including achieving net energy gain and managing the extreme conditions necessary for sustained fusion reactions. He concluded with an optimistic vision of fusion’s role in reducing global carbon emissions once these technical barriers are overcome.

Low-temperature plasma technologies took centre stage in Prof. Chunqi Jiang’s presentation, which showcased their versatility in addressing climate change and societal challenges. From generating renewable energy and cleaning polluted environments to enabling smart agriculture and advancing medical applications, plasma solutions are paving the way for innovative approaches to sustainability. Prof. Jiang highlighted plasma-assisted methods for developing greener fertilizers and combating antimicrobial resistance, demonstrating how these technologies can bridge the gap between environmental health and human well-being.

Prof. Tor Raubenheimer expanded the discussion by describing accelerator-based solutions that extend beyond traditional energy applications. He highlighted the role of particle accelerators in driving subcritical nuclear reactors, advancing hadron therapy for precision cancer treatments, and producing isotopes for medical diagnostics. These technologies underscore the broad societal impact of nuclear and plasma advancements, illustrating their potential to enhance not only energy systems but also human health and scientific discovery.

Dr. Shrilatha (Bobbie) Manne shifted the focus to the growing energy demands of large-scale computing. As digital infrastructure expands, so too does its environmental footprint. Dr. Manne explored strategies for sustainable computing, including optimizing algorithms, leveraging renewable energy, and improving data centre efficiency. Her presentation emphasized the critical intersection of technology and sustainability, highlighting the need for scalable solutions that align with global climate goals.

The workshop concluded with Dr. David Abbott’s discussion on the role of big data and high-performance computing in advancing nuclear and plasma technologies. Dr. Abbott illustrated how simulations and predictive modelling accelerate research in fusion and fission, optimize plasma applications, and inform policy decisions. He stressed the importance of continued investment in computational infrastructure to support innovation, urging collaboration between researchers, industry, and policymakers.

This workshop provided a comprehensive overview, and an opportunity for networking and reflection of how nuclear and plasma solutions can address some of the most pressing challenges facing humanity. From revolutionizing energy systems to enhancing environmental health and societal resilience, the insights shared by experts underscored the transformative potential of these technologies. As the world grapples with the catastrophic consequences of climate change, these discussions might open the perspective of a possible contribution from NPSS to sustainability and the 2050 zero carbon goals. Climate Change events will continue at conferences and NPSS Schools in 2025.

Professor Cinzia Da Via can be reached by E-mail at [email protected]